Air-Fryer Frozen Burgers: Quick, Crispy, Juicy

Air fryers are a convenient alternative to deep-frying, grilling, or baking, especially when it comes to frozen foods. They can cook frozen burgers quickly and evenly, without the need for defrosting, and with minimal cleanup.

To cook a frozen burger in an air fryer, simply separate the patties and spritz them with cooking spray. Air fry for about 20 minutes at 350°F, flipping halfway through for even cooking. Add toppings and serve.

How long to cook frozen burgers in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen burgers in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Preparation: Depending on your preference, you can spritz or spray the frozen patties with a little water or cooking spray. This helps the seasoning stick to the meat. Then, season both sides of the patties generously with salt and pepper, or any other seasoning of your choice.
• Air-frying: Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390ºF. Arrange the seasoned patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. This is to ensure the burgers cook evenly.
• Cooking time: For a medium-rare burger, cook for around 8 minutes. For a well-done burger, you can cook for up to 20 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your preferred level of doneness and the thickness of your patties. As a guide, a 6-ounce patty will take around 8-10 minutes per side to reach a safe internal temperature of 160ºF. You can check the temperature by using a meat thermometer.
• Serving: Once cooked, remove the burgers from the air fryer and serve on buns with your choice of toppings and condiments.

Top tips:

• If you want to add cheese to your burger, place the cheese on the patties after cooking and leave it to melt for a minute or so with the residual heat in the air fryer.
• Avoid overlapping the patties in the air fryer, as this can cause them to cook unevenly. If your air fryer isn't big enough to fit all the patties in a single layer, cook them in batches.
• If you're worried about grease causing smoke in the air fryer, add a splash of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket.

How to season frozen burgers

Yes, you can cook frozen burgers in an air fryer! And the best part is that it's easy to do and there's very little cleanup.

Now, here's how to season frozen burgers:

First, take the frozen burger patties out of the freezer. You don't need to thaw them. Spritz them lightly with cooking spray or water so that the seasoning will stick. Then, season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. You can also add garlic salt, onion powder, steak seasoning, or cayenne pepper.

Next, preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390ºF. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overlapping. Cook for around 8 to 12 minutes for a medium-rare burger, and 15 to 17 minutes for a medium burger. If you want your burger well done, leave it in for up to 20 minutes. You don't need to flip the burgers while they're cooking.

Once the burgers are cooked, take them out of the air fryer and add any extra seasoning, if needed. Then, add your toppings and serve.

Can you cook raw hamburger in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook raw hamburgers in an air fryer. It's a convenient, affordable, and quick way to cook burgers without the need for defrosting or preheating.

To cook raw hamburgers in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Raw beef patties (either store-bought frozen patties or homemade)
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Hamburger buns
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. cheese, ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato)

• Prepare the patties: If desired, spritz or brush both sides of the frozen patties with cooking spray. This will help them brown in the air fryer. You can also season the patties with salt, pepper, or other seasonings of your choice.
• Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The recommended temperature varies depending on the source, ranging from 350°F to 390°F.
• Cook the patties: Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overlapping or stacking them. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side for rare or medium-rare burgers. For well-done burgers, cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the patty reaches an internal temperature of 160°F to 165°F.
• Add cheese (optional): If you're making cheeseburgers, add a slice of cheese on top of each patty after removing them from the air fryer. Cover the patties to help the cheese melt.
• Assemble and serve: Place the cooked patties on hamburger buns and add your desired toppings.

Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your patties, as well as your preferred doneness. Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the burgers.

How to store and reheat frozen burgers

Storing frozen burgers is easy. You can keep leftover patties in an airtight container for up to four days in the fridge. If you want to store them for longer, you can keep them in the freezer.

When it comes to reheating frozen burgers, there are several methods you can use. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Microwave: This is a quick and easy way to reheat your frozen burger. Place the patty in the centre of a microwave-safe plate or paper towel and cover it with a bowl to retain moisture. Heat the patty for one to two minutes on a lower power setting. For thicker patties, pause the microwave and turn them over before continuing. For the buns, wrap them in a slightly damp paper towel and heat for 20 to 30 seconds.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Disassemble the burger and place the patty on a metal rack with a baking sheet underneath. Heat for three minutes, then flip and heat the other side for about two minutes. You can add the buns to the rack when you flip the patty. This method is gentler on the food and better than the microwave.
• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. Place the patty in the basket and heat for two to four minutes. You will need to reheat the bun separately, so this method is not as efficient as the oven.
• Frying Pan: Place the patty on an oiled pan and fry over medium-high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover for one minute. The water will steam the patty and lock in moisture. Once the patty is done, reuse the pan to toast the buns.

Before using any of these methods, it is recommended to let the burger sit at room temperature for 10 to 20 minutes to allow for more even reheating.

What to serve with air fryer frozen burgers

So, you're making air fryer frozen burgers and want to know what to serve with them? Well, you've come to the right place!

First things first, let's talk about the burgers themselves. You can use store-bought frozen burger patties or make your own and freeze them. If you're making your own, form the patties using a recipe, place a piece of parchment between each patty, and then freeze them in a single layer so they don't stick together. Once they're frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag and store them for up to four months.

Now, onto the cooking method. The air fryer is a convenient alternative to deep-frying, grilling, or baking, especially when it comes to frozen food. To cook your frozen burgers in the air fryer, simply separate the patties, spritz them with cooking spray, and season with salt and pepper. Then, arrange them in a single layer in a greased air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for about 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

And now, for the moment you've been waiting for, the sides! Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer frozen burgers:

• French fries
• Onion rings
• Potato chips
• Salad
• Tater tots
• Sweet potato fries
• Baked beans
• Pasta salad

So, there you have it! You're now equipped with a list of delicious sides to choose from for your air fryer frozen burger feast. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions